Helpful Tools!
If you are looking for changes within you, there may be some lifestyle changes you may want to consider. The examples below are useful tools to get your mind away from fearful thoughts.
Here are some ways to help you let go of the old unhealthy habits, and help bring in new life!
Get involved: Find a local group to get involved with. Some examples can be: reading group, get a job, volunteer at an organization, or take a class. In these times, you need to feel important, (which you are!), and you need to feel some self-confidence (which you have inside, you just have to tap into it). Being involved in the community allows you to feel connected to others, which is so important, since we feel so alone when we suffer from anxiety.
Nature walks: There is nothing more soothing than taking the time to be out in nature. Go for walks and make them a part of your daily routine. When you are out there, inhale in the beauty. If you are near the ocean, be sure you take a walk on the beach! Take time out for your lunch break to visit a nearby park to enjoy a picnic lunch under a tree. While you are there, listen to the sounds that surround you. Maybe you hear the birds, or water trickling down. Take in the serenity and beauty of all that surrounds you...and be grateful. Nature allows us to feel connected to the world that surrounds us.
Exercise: Taking the time to get some exercise, can be energizing and empowering! If you are looking for social experiences, join a gym, or yoga studio. You can also join a martial arts class, or adult sports team. Think of what YOU need. Maybe your life is full of social activities, and you need time for yourself. Then make it a point to go for a walk or a jog. Maybe you can take up running. Maybe you should dust off your bike and take a ride! Think about what will give YOU comfort. Tap into the needs of your body and mind.
Eliminate stimulants: (Caffeine, Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs) By eliminating stimulants, you are eliminating a HUGE part of anxiety producing material. When you are anxious, and you ADD something to your body that will increase your energy, it can only lead into trouble. You want to reduce any external stimulation to an already stimulated body. You will be amazed how good your body can feel after you allow yourself to let go of stimulants.
Smile and Laugh: Feel the sensations that smiling can do for you. Laughter is healing! It's a proven fact that laughter IS the best medicine. Allow yourself to laugh more than a few times during the day. If you don't find opportunities to laugh...create them...OR just fake it! When you force or fake a smile on your face, your body doesn't know the difference between a "real" laugh and a "fake" one, so your body will still get all the great benefits that laughing can do for you! Benefits of laughter include: greater oxygen to the brain, more energy, more motivation, a positive state of mind, relief of stress, and strengthening the immune system. For more on this, see our blog post, Laughter and Why It's So Important.
Foods that can help: Consume more turkey, asparagus, bananas, wheat germ, Peppermint tea, and Chamomile tea. Replace simple sugars (cupcakes, cookies) with fruit. Snack on healthy nuts and fruit instead of chips and other energy draining materials. Your body will thank you! For more on this, please see the following blog posts: Herbal Teas for Anxiety, 3 Best Nutrients for Managing Anxiety, and Understanding How Food Can Help Manage Anxiety.
Get out that yoga mat: By placing your yoga mat on the floor, where you can see it, is a great way to tell your brain.."I need to get there". If it stays rolled up in the corner of the room, you may tend to leave it there. With your mat in a convenient place to practice, you have a tendency to get on it more frequently. We don't watch TV much, but if we do, it's at night, I'll place my yoga mat on the floor to stretch. Instead of watching TV from the couch, get on the floor and stretch and breathe while you watch. It's a great way to stay mindful, and keep your body moving and relaxing at the same time. This is a great tool to use before bed to relax the muscles of your body, and tap into your mindset.
External Stimulants: Eliminate TV shows / movies that are scary, or may increase fears. Replace with sit-coms, funny shows, or better yet, turn off the TV! When you are dealing with fears, the last thing you want to do is increase the ability to bring more fears into your life. You have enough on your plate, no reason to add additional factors.
Read: Read a book! Educate yourself on topics that interest you. Maybe pick up a book of crossword puzzles. Maybe pick up an adult coloring book to color. Again, this is focusing your mind and giving it the opportunity to be used in a creative form. When we don't have much to truly keep our brain active, it will create its own activity...like thoughts. Keep your brain active and focused on what you want it to be focused on. Create a list of ideas that you want to do, and start to do them.
For more tips on calming the body and mind, see our blogposts, 5 Quick Tips to Help Calm Stress and Anxiety, or Daily Habits to Help Manage Anxiety.
Here are some ways to help you let go of the old unhealthy habits, and help bring in new life!
Get involved: Find a local group to get involved with. Some examples can be: reading group, get a job, volunteer at an organization, or take a class. In these times, you need to feel important, (which you are!), and you need to feel some self-confidence (which you have inside, you just have to tap into it). Being involved in the community allows you to feel connected to others, which is so important, since we feel so alone when we suffer from anxiety.
Nature walks: There is nothing more soothing than taking the time to be out in nature. Go for walks and make them a part of your daily routine. When you are out there, inhale in the beauty. If you are near the ocean, be sure you take a walk on the beach! Take time out for your lunch break to visit a nearby park to enjoy a picnic lunch under a tree. While you are there, listen to the sounds that surround you. Maybe you hear the birds, or water trickling down. Take in the serenity and beauty of all that surrounds you...and be grateful. Nature allows us to feel connected to the world that surrounds us.
Exercise: Taking the time to get some exercise, can be energizing and empowering! If you are looking for social experiences, join a gym, or yoga studio. You can also join a martial arts class, or adult sports team. Think of what YOU need. Maybe your life is full of social activities, and you need time for yourself. Then make it a point to go for a walk or a jog. Maybe you can take up running. Maybe you should dust off your bike and take a ride! Think about what will give YOU comfort. Tap into the needs of your body and mind.
Eliminate stimulants: (Caffeine, Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs) By eliminating stimulants, you are eliminating a HUGE part of anxiety producing material. When you are anxious, and you ADD something to your body that will increase your energy, it can only lead into trouble. You want to reduce any external stimulation to an already stimulated body. You will be amazed how good your body can feel after you allow yourself to let go of stimulants.
Smile and Laugh: Feel the sensations that smiling can do for you. Laughter is healing! It's a proven fact that laughter IS the best medicine. Allow yourself to laugh more than a few times during the day. If you don't find opportunities to laugh...create them...OR just fake it! When you force or fake a smile on your face, your body doesn't know the difference between a "real" laugh and a "fake" one, so your body will still get all the great benefits that laughing can do for you! Benefits of laughter include: greater oxygen to the brain, more energy, more motivation, a positive state of mind, relief of stress, and strengthening the immune system. For more on this, see our blog post, Laughter and Why It's So Important.
Foods that can help: Consume more turkey, asparagus, bananas, wheat germ, Peppermint tea, and Chamomile tea. Replace simple sugars (cupcakes, cookies) with fruit. Snack on healthy nuts and fruit instead of chips and other energy draining materials. Your body will thank you! For more on this, please see the following blog posts: Herbal Teas for Anxiety, 3 Best Nutrients for Managing Anxiety, and Understanding How Food Can Help Manage Anxiety.
Get out that yoga mat: By placing your yoga mat on the floor, where you can see it, is a great way to tell your brain.."I need to get there". If it stays rolled up in the corner of the room, you may tend to leave it there. With your mat in a convenient place to practice, you have a tendency to get on it more frequently. We don't watch TV much, but if we do, it's at night, I'll place my yoga mat on the floor to stretch. Instead of watching TV from the couch, get on the floor and stretch and breathe while you watch. It's a great way to stay mindful, and keep your body moving and relaxing at the same time. This is a great tool to use before bed to relax the muscles of your body, and tap into your mindset.
External Stimulants: Eliminate TV shows / movies that are scary, or may increase fears. Replace with sit-coms, funny shows, or better yet, turn off the TV! When you are dealing with fears, the last thing you want to do is increase the ability to bring more fears into your life. You have enough on your plate, no reason to add additional factors.
Read: Read a book! Educate yourself on topics that interest you. Maybe pick up a book of crossword puzzles. Maybe pick up an adult coloring book to color. Again, this is focusing your mind and giving it the opportunity to be used in a creative form. When we don't have much to truly keep our brain active, it will create its own activity...like thoughts. Keep your brain active and focused on what you want it to be focused on. Create a list of ideas that you want to do, and start to do them.
For more tips on calming the body and mind, see our blogposts, 5 Quick Tips to Help Calm Stress and Anxiety, or Daily Habits to Help Manage Anxiety.
***All pictures are the sole property of It Starts With You Wellness®. No pictures shall be copied without written permission from It Starts With You Wellness®.